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Thursday, April 23, 2015

The Reds Take Malice

LUCY BURDETTE: If you've been to a conference with Jungle Reds on the program, you'll know that we've moved away from traditional panels and toward--game shows! Family Feud several years ago was a huge hit, and even included our honorary Red, Julia's hub, Ross. We've done Balderdash, and Jeopardy. We bring prizes and encourage silliness. This year at Malice Domestic on May 2 in Bethesda will be no exception!

The game this time around is called 50 SHADES OF RED--and we have the most adorable buttons to help celebrate. Only four of us are able to attend this time (Hallie, Hank, Rhys, and Lucy), but we've wrangled an amazing guest moderator: Charlaine Harris!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: So, This year's game is called 50 Shades of Red because we thought it was funny. But here's the secret--it means nothing. And that's funnier, right? But we're basing or new (and original) game of on that 1970's game Fact in Five. Remember that? Where you have an infinitesimally short amount of time to name--five countries that begin with W. Five dogs with colors in their names. And on and on. Lots of competition, lots of suspense. And lots of bluffing.But the Reds have tweaked and polished and this year at Malice, we're making it all about mysteries! Two of us Reds versus the other two. We'll face off to name as many things as we can--in twenty seconds--in a category given by the amazing Charlaine. And then the opposing team will try to do better.We're still working on the rules--plenty of time!--but we know some audience members will definitely be involved. So come prepared to play--and win!And now--even if you aren't attending Malice!--we need your help.

HALLIE EPHRON: First: WE NEED CHALLENGES! Submit them as comments. Remember, these are facts in fives...

So I'll start: Name five mystery novels with RED in the title.Name five mystery novels that involve trains. Name five clues in Sherlock Holmes stories.Name five sleuths with dogs (or dogs with sleuth.

Your turn!

HANK: I'll say: Nancy Drew's dog Daisy. Pause, pause. Are you wondering: did Nancy Drew have a dog name Daisy.??? And the answer is no! Because I am bluffing. (Not very well, but it's just an example.) So in Fifty Shades of Red, a player can bluff. But the opponents can challenge!! Wen there's a challenge, the timer stops, and the audience votes on who is right. The loser forfeits three hard-won points.

So how about:Mystery novels set in London.Detectives with children.Mysteries with animals in the titleSeries with more than five installmentsActors who play detectives in the moviesMysteries that have become TV seriesRHYS BOWEN:What my fellow Reds didn't mention yet is that we'll be choosing audience members to join our teams. If you'd like to help us out with your superior knowledge (and you really do know the name of Nancy Drew's dog)--you need to be wearing a special limited edition Jungle Red "I READ RED" button. We'll be choosing our panel members from the audience from those who are wearing the buttons..and we will be handing them out at Malice! So make sure your find one of us..and get your I READ RED button so you can participate. It'll also make you eligible for wonderful prizes!

28 comments:

Wow . . . this sounds like great fun! I'm not too good at thinking up things on the spur of the moment, but these ideas came to mind:Name five detectives' sidekicks.Name five historical mysteries.Name five amateur sleuths.Name five mystery series that are set in a country other than the United States.Name five mystery series that feature husband and wife teams.

Five archaeological sleuths.Five forensic anthropologist series.Five series set in the South.Five Western sleuths/sheriffs.Five New England series.Five Irish protagonists.Five English pubs featured in a mystery. (Bonus points if you've raised a pint in each of them!)

Detectives who are Great War veterans.Native American (or Indian!) detectives.Women accused of murder who are innocent and become detectives!Regency era detectivesAnd when I say detectives I mean mystery solvers, pro or amateur.This sounds like so much fun. Too bad my brain turns to pudding when it is needed.

Oh, I so wish that I were going to Malice and scoring one of those buttons. I loved your panel at the 2013 Bouchercon where Ross and youngest passed out the prizes. I can take some comfort in knowing that you Reds will have something equally amazing at Bouchercon in Raleigh, where I will be attending. I'm still hoping to get in a Malice one of these years soon.

Or, you could just change the above to five of any in those categories, winners or nominees or just ones that fit the categories For example, five mystery short stories or five young adult mysteries or series, and you could even do five Mary Higgins Clark novels.

What fun you all are going to have, participants and observers. Rhys, you gave me a great laugh-out-loud moment with your suggestions. Hahaha!

Mystery Series set in a country other than the United States . . . .Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, set in EnglandAgatha Christie’s Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, set in EnglandLouise Penny’s Inspector Gamache, set in CanadaAlexander McCall Smith’s Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency, set in Southern AfricaVicky Delaney’s Constable Molly Smith series, set in British Columbia

You girls are too smart! I can't wait to read 50 Shades of Red - written by one of you - it will outsell the Grey Lady!!! And I don't mean the NYT!Will be with you at a distance at Malice! Thelma Straw in Manhattan

Name a wheelie (wheelchair user) sleuth.Are there any? There must be.I just haven't found her yet. She should be a she, because wheelie guys in novels are all massively strong and can make their chairs do the impossible. She could have a RED POWER WHEELCHAIR. If you find a way to work in a wheelie sleuth-who is a woman-who has a red power wheelchair… my next chair will be Jungle Red and dedicated to the love of mystery reading and writing!

Jungle Red Writers has been named one of the top 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writers Digest, one of the top 50 mystery blogs by CourtReporter, and one of the top 100 creative writing blogs by Best Colleges Online